“I wanted to stay.” – Young talent admits he never wanted to leave Aston Villa last summer…

With slightly over a week remaining in the January transfer window, there’s a possibility that one or two players might exit Unai Emery’s Aston Villa project. Despite a successful season in both European competitions and the Premier League, fans may have anticipated the club strengthening the squad with new signings this month. However, indications suggest that some players could leave Villa before any reinforcements arrive.

Players such as Leander Dendoncker, Calum Chambers, Bertrand Traore, and Kortney Hause are the most likely candidates for departure. The exits of these players could pave the way for Emery to bring in an experienced striker to support Ollie Watkins.

Interestingly, Jaden Philogene, a 21-year-old player who opted to leave Emery’s Villa project last summer, has now revealed that he initially didn’t want to depart. In an interview with The Athletic, Philogene disclosed that he had a desire to stay at Villa. Nevertheless, he made the move to Championship side Hull City, where he has already made a significant impact despite facing an unfortunate knee injury.

Philogene, an ‘electric’ England under-21 international, scored six goals and provided five assists in 14 games for Hull City. The decision to leave Villa was influenced by a conversation with Emery, where Philogene expressed his need for more playing time. He explained, “I wanted to stay, but I didn’t think I was going to get the minutes I needed. So the best option for me was to leave. I’m 21 and I needed to play. I spoke to Emery and Monchi, and they agreed.”

Although Philogene’s departure now appears to be a sensible decision for all parties involved, Villa, currently in pursuit of a winger, has been linked with a noteworthy move. In hindsight, they might wish they had relied on an academy graduate like Philogene, who could have been a perfect complement to their squad. However, considering the 21-year-old’s desire for regular playing time, another six months on the sidelines might not have been enjoyable for him.